Nonito Donaire's Return is Targeted For Araneta Coliseum

By Jake Donovan

Top Rank never lost faith in Nonito Donaire picking himself up and one day returning to glory, despite how his 2014 campaign came to a close. The four-division champ suffered the lone knockout loss of his career as he was stopped in six rounds by then-unbeaten featherweight titlist Nicholas Walters, the fight providing enough proof that the Fil-Am star was best served to drop back down in weight.

With the move came a three-fight win streak, including his reclaiming a super bantamweight title in outpointing Cesar Juarez in their Fight of the Year entrant this past December in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The title victory capped a comeback that began with a knockout win this past March in Manila, Philippines, where he will return in April for the first defense his second tour as a 122-pound champ. 

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum confirmed with BoxingScene.com that the fight will take place April 23 at Smart Araneta Coliseum, where he will face former featherweight titlist and one-time training stablemate Evgeny Gradovich.

“We were very, very proud of the way Nonito won the world title in his last fight,” noted Arum. “Everyone thought he was going to knock the kid out when he dropped him early, but it turned out to be a hell of a fight, a fight that Nonito survived, won and can now look to the future.

“Our plans for him are to have him next fight at the world famous Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines, which 40 years ago of course hosted the “Thrilla in Manila”, (the third fight) between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. It has undergone major renovation since then, and Nonito will return there to defend his championship.”

Donaire (36-3, 23KOs) is 4-0 in his birth country, born in Talibon and lived in General Santos City before relocating to the United States as a child. The showdown with Gradovich will mark his third appearance at Smart Areneta Coliseum, having previously claimed knockout wins over Raul Martinez as a super flyweight in 2009 and more recently a 2nd round stoppage of William Prado this past March.

It remains to be seen if the 33-year old can recapture past form that led to title wins at flyweight, bantamweight, super bantamweight and featherweight. For now, the move down in weight seems to have preserved – or at least extended – his career.

Likewise, Gradovich (20-1-1, 9KOs) has decided that a move one weight class south is in his best interest. The former featherweight titlist has struggled in his past several starts, including a title losing effort to Lee Selby in May. He has since made his way back to the win column, though looking sluggish in a split decision nod over journeyman Aldimar Silva this past October in Omaha, Nebraska.

The fight was his last at featherweight, having informed BoxingScene.com before the fight that his already rail-thin frame could stand to shed four more pounds at compete at super bantamweight.

Such a decision was much easier for Donaire to make, as featherweight never appeared to be a good fit. Should he emerge victorious in April, big plans are in store for the remainder of the year, whether back in the United States, or continuing outside the lower 48 as will be the case for his fourth straight fight come April 23.

“2016 is a big year for our company,” notes Arum who in March will celebrate his 50th year as a promoter. “Nonito Donaire is a major part of those plans, beginning with the big show in the Philippines.”

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox